Pac-12 football: Commissioner Larry Scott on issues of the day

Caught up with Scott for a few minutes Tuesday at media day as he darted from one TV appearance to another, with a lengthy private conversation with Randy Freer, president of Fox Sports Networks, mixed into the itinerary.

Here we go …

*** Scott gave no details on the Pac-12 TV Network partnership/structure — I didn’t expect any — but he indicated it will be wrapped up next month.

*** While his prepared remarks to the assembled throng did not include a call for reform (i.e., the SEC’s Mike Slive), Scott said the six AQ-conference commissioners are “like-minded in the need for significant reform.”

He added that there’s “an amazing opportunity with (new NCAA president) Mark Emmert to set a new agenda.”

The current system of NCAA bureaucracy is “death by incrementalism,” Scott added, “and that’s not acceptable in the current environment.”

Not surprisingly, Scott advocates “an aggressive agenda,” including covering the full cost of attendance and increasing academic standards.

He commended Slive “for getting out there” with proposed reforms.

*** Scott also said that improved compliance begins with the schools, which should use TV revenue to bolster monitoring staffs.

“The leadership has to come from the presidents.”

*** The Pac-12 will send a representative (deputy commish Kevin Weiberg) to next month’s NCAA summit on TV networks and their ability to broadcast high school games.

“The NCAA is doing the right thing by getting out in front,” he said. “But you can’t parse it by school or conference. It’s a more philosophical issue. Either it will be permitted or it won’t be.”

Yes, the conference is closely monitoring the Longhorn Network situation. You can be sure that if the LHN is allowed to show prep games, the Pac-12 Network will do the same.

*** Saving the best morsel for last …

If you’ll recall, Scott had some strong words following the rejection of USC’s appeal, saying “I fully expect every NCAA member institution to be held to the same high standards.”

And he’s well aware that the NCAA didn’t find Ohio State guilty of Lack of Institutional Control or Failure to Monitor — even though its head coach knowing played ineligible players and then lied about it.

“You can be sure I’m tracking it,” he said.

In fact, he called Emmert after tOSU news broke on Friday.

The takeaway? Scott said there’s “a misperception in the media about the finality” of tOSU situation.

While he declined to get specific, I took his comment to mean that Emmert indicated the NCAA could tack on penalties in the cash-for-memorabilia case.